Is it a man? Is it a woman? No, this is Ronny, a French singer who
briefly worked with Vangelis, another
one of those peculiar one-off collaborations Vangelis has from time to time. She
experienced her proverbial “15 minutes of fame” during 1981/1982, when she
released three solo-singles, did some concerts and worked with a number of other
New Wave acts. For example, she also did vocals on a Zaine Griff track on the
“What, Me Worry?” album by Yukihiro Takahashi, of Yellow Magic Orchestra
fame.

The second of those singles, Compare me with the rest, was composed and produced
by Vangelis. How this brief partnership originated is unknown, maybe it was
because she too recorded for Polydor. Her being French would have helped as well
– interestingly, she gave the same reason as Vangelis did some years earlier
for leaving France to try her luck in England: the unresponsive atmosphere of
the French music-world at the time. That and her striking “woman in men’s
clothes” image will have something to do with the lyrics to “Compare Me With
The Rest”.

Tracklist

Side 1: Compare me with the rest (Part one)

Side 2: Compare me with the rest (Part two)

Credits

Vangelis is credited for producing and composing the songs, while Ronny
writes the lyrics herself. The sleeve is by Polydor sleeve designer Alwyn
Clayden, who did many of Vangelis' sleeves while signed with the label.

ReviewThe first part has a simple effective melody and a
nice, gentle beat to it. From the sounds Vangelis plays it becomes very obvious
this single was recorded somewhere during or after the “Friends Of Mr.
Cairo” sessions. The organ sound from “Back to School” is heard throughout
and the whole arrangement is slightly reminiscent of “State Of
Independence”. Especially so at the end, in the chant-like section, where Dick
Morrisey joins on multiple saxophones to bring the song to its festive end.
The second song is one of those typically fluid, dreamy pieces by Vangelis,
heavy on piano and atmosphere. Here he uses that special organ sound as also
featured on “Outside Of This” from “Mr. Cairo”. Ronny takes the
opportunity to do her Marlene Dietrich impression, with the low voice and
improvisatory air. All of which makes this into quite a beautiful little B-side
of this single by the nowadays completely forgotten chanteuse.